Detecting and processing corrupted video recordings

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the invention include a method that comprises receiving a request to record television content on a specified channel for a specified period of time. The method can also include tuning to the specified channel at the specified time, and recording the specified content. The method can also include determining that one or more segments of the television content is corrupted. The method can also include presenting a notification indicating that some of the television content is corrupted, retuning to the specified channel made by the request, and acquiring uncorrupted television content for use in replacing the one or more segments of corrupted television content.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the invention(s) generally relate to the field ofcorrecting corruption in recorded content, and particularly relates tomethods of detecting, correcting, and notifying a user of corruptedrecordings, such as those commonly occurring due to inclement weather orpower outages.

BACKGROUND

A digital video recorder (DVR) (a.k.a. personal video recorder or PVR)is a device that records audio and video content in a digital format toa disk drive or other medium. DVRs include stand-alone set-top boxes andsoftware for personal computers, where the software enables contentcapture and playback to and from disk. DVRs often provide severalenhancements to similar devices such as VCRs, including convenient “timeshifting”. Additionally, some DVRs provide desirable features, such aspausing live TV, instant replay of interesting scenes, chasing playback,and skipping advertising. Most DVRs use MPEG format for encoding analogvideo signals.

DVRs can record corrupted content for a variety of reasons. For example,inclement weather can cause poor reception of satellite televisionbroadcasts. As a result, DVRs may record corrupted or poor qualitycontent. DVRs that are not connected to satellite dishes can experienceother problems, such as power outages, poor signal quality, etc.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the invention include a method that comprises recordingbroadcasted television content. The method can also determine if one ormore segments of the content is corrupted. The method can also present anotification if the content is corrupted, where the notification caninclude indicia such as a pop-up window, an icon or symbol in a programguide screen or program recorded content screen, and/or an indicator onthe DVR unit. The method can also acquire uncorrupted content to replaceone or more segments of the corrupted content.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present embodiments may be better understood, and numerous objects,features, and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art byreferencing the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram illustrating the configuration of diecontent delivery system with a content provider serving as a provider ofuncorrupted content in an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram illustrating the configuration of thecontent delivery system with a satellite serving as a provider ofuncorrupted content in an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart illustrating the operation of the DVR unitaccording to some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of different types of user notificationmethods, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of the user demarcation method ofdetecting corruption in recorded content in an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 6 depicts a flowchart illustrating the operation of the contentprovider providing, via the web, corrected content to the DVR unitcontaining corrupted content, according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 7 depicts a flowchart illustrating the operations for retuning asatellite dish, according to some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 8 depicts a flowchart illustrating the operations for reprogramminga satellite dish, according to some embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S)

The description that follows includes exemplary systems, methods,techniques, instruction sequences and computer program products thatembody techniques of the present invention. However, it is understoodthat the described invention may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, well-known instruction instances,protocols, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail inorder not to obfuscate the description.

FIG. 1 illustrates a content delivery system 100, according to someembodiments of the invention. The content delivery system includes a DVRunit 101, display device 112 (e.g., television), network 109, contentprovider 110, and content replacement service 112. The content provider110 can provide television content via a cable television infrastructure(e.g., optical fiber, coaxial cables, ect.) or other infrastructures,such as digital subscriber lines (DSL). In FIG. 1, the DVR unit 101includes a storage device 102, content corruption detection unit 104,user notification unit 106, and content corruption correction unit 108,all of which are connected via a bus 103. Although FIG. 1 shows theDVR's components connected via a bus 103, the components can beconnected using other technologies (e.g., software interfaces). Thestorage device 102 includes uncorrupted content 111 and corruptedcontent 105.

Although not shown in FIG. 1, the DVR unit 101 includes components forrecording and presenting content (e.g., video decoding logic, read/writelogic, video tuner(s), etc.) Furthermore, any of the components shownherein can include hardware, firmware, and/or machine-readable mediaincluding instructions for performing the operations described herein.Machine-readable media includes any mechanism that provides (i.e.,stores and/or transmits) information in a form readable by a machine(e.g., a wagering game machine, computer, etc.). For example, tangiblemachine-readable media includes read only memory (ROM), random accessmemory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flashmemory machines, etc. Machine-readable media also includes any mediasuitable for transmitting software over a network.

In some embodiments of the invention, the content corruption detectionunit 104 utilizes a variety of methods to detect corrupted content inthe storage device 102. These methods can include reduced signalstrength detection, power outage detection, digital block detection, anduser demarcation. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the usernotification unit 106 can notify the user that a recording is corruptedupon detection by the content corruption detection unit 104. Examplenotifications can include an indicator on the DVR unit itself indicatingthat a recording includes corrupted content, a graphical user interfaceindicating that one or more recordings are corrupted, and modified iconsthat indicate corrupted content has been recorded. A network 109connects the DVR unit 101 to the content provider 110 and contentreplacement service 112.

FIG. 2 illustrates another content delivery system 200, according tosome embodiments of the invention. The content delivery system 200includes a DVR unit 201, display device 218, network 209, contentreplacement service 210, and satellite dish 216. In FIG. 2, the DVR unit201 includes a storage device 202 that includes uncorrupted content 211and corrupted content 205. The DVR unit 201 also includes a contentcorruption detection unit 204, user notification unit 206, and contentcorruption correction unit 208, all of which are connected via a bus203. Although FIG. 1 shows the DVR's components connected via a bus 103,the components can be connected using other technologies (e.g., softwareinterfaces). Also, the DVR unit 101 can include components (not shown)for recording and presenting content (e.g., video decoding logic,read/write logic, video tuner(s), etc.).

In some embodiments of the invention, the content corruption detectionunit 204 can utilize a variety of methods to detect the corruptedcontent 205 in the storage device 202. The corrupted content 205 caninclude “dead” (unviewable) content. The DVR unit 201 may recordunviewable content by can errantly recording from a channel that is notcarrying content supplied by the content provider 110. When presented,the dead content may cause the display device 112 to show a blankscreen, monochromatic screen, or white noise. The corruption detectionunit's methods for detecting corrupted content can include pixelmonitoring, white noise detection, and digital block detection.Furthermore, in some embodiments, the user notification unit 206 cannotify the user that a recording is corrupted upon detection by thecontent corruption detection unit 204. Example notifications includeindicia appearing on the DVR unit itself, icons appearing in graphicaluser interfaces, pop-up windows appearing in graphical user interfaces,etc.

The DVR unit 201 also includes a transmission unit 212 that can sendwireless signals 214 (e.g., infrared (IR) signals, radio frequency (RF)signals, etc.) to reprogram a satellite dish 216. In the embodiment inFIG. 2, the transmission unit 212 includes a wire through which ittransmits the wireless signals. A network 209 connects the DVR unit 201to a content replacement service 210

System Operations

This section describes operations performed by some embodiments of thesystems described above. In certain embodiments, the operations can beperformed by executing instructions residing on machine-readable content(e.g., software), while in other embodiments, the operations can beperformed by a combination of software, hardware, and/or other logic(e.g., firmware). In some embodiments, the operations can be performedin series, while in other embodiments, one or more of the operations canbe performed in parallel. Moreover, some embodiments can perform lessthan all the operations shown in the Figures.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating operations of a DVR unit,according to some embodiments of the invention. In FIG. 3, the flow 300begins at block 302, where the DVR unit 101 detects corrupted content inthe storage device 102. The flow continues at block 304. At block 304,the content corruption detection unit 104 identifies the corruptedcontent segment.

The methods of detecting and identifying can include one or more of thefollowing:

-   -   Reduced Signal Method—The reduced signal strength detection        method marks the recording as corrupted if the signal strength        decreases below a threshold while recording. The start of        reduced signal strength and duration of lowered signal strength        can be stored to identify the corrupted content segment.    -   Content Provider Method—Using the content provider notification        method, a content provider 110 can detect potentially corrupted        recordings through customer complaints or automated systems that        analyze region specific weather data. If the content provider        110 detects conditions sufficient to cause corrupted recordings,        the provider may notify the DVR unit 101 that content recorded        during a particular time window may be damaged. The corruption        detection unit 108 can store an indication of the time window.    -   Power Outage Detection Method—A power outage for a DVR during a        recording results in corrupted media wherein the recording is        missing the segments from when the power outage occurred until        the DVR was restarted and capable of recording again. In the        power outage detection method, the content corruption detection        unit 104 detects a power outage by comparing the DVRs recording        list against the last known time the system was functional        before the most recent startup. The duration of the corruption        is determined by the time period between the DVRs last known        functional time prior to restart and the time when the DVR        resumed recording.    -   User Demarcation Method—In the user demarcation method, the        content corruption detection unit 104 detects a corrupted        content segment by allowing a user to identify corrupt content        through a user interface. The user interface can include pop-up        menus and other graphics that allow users to identify start and        end points of in a segment of recorded content. The start and        end points demarcate the corrupted content.    -   Mismatch Checksum Detection Method—In the mismatch checksum        detection method, the DVR's content corruption detection unit        101 can calculate a checksum as content is recorded. The DVR        unit's checksum is compared to a checksum given by the content        provider 110. If the checksums do not match, the recording is        corrupted. If a checksum error occurs, the content corruption        detection unit 104 and content provider 110 may perform a        rolling checksum to detect which parts of the recording are        corrupted. The start and duration for the corruption consist of        the area of the recording with disparate rolling checksum        values. In situations where the mismatch checksum method is        inadequate due to an analog television broadcast that gives an        imprecise measurement of signal, the content corruption        detection unit 104 can compare the recorded length of the show        with the published length, which would be further broken up into        show lengths and commercial lengths. If there is corruption to a        non-critical part of the recording (e.g. a commercial or        intermittent black space), the content corruption detection unit        104 can decide whether the recording is acceptable. If a        critical portion of the show is not matching the proper length,        the content corruption detection unit 104 can replace the        corrupted segment.    -   Silent and White Noise Method—In the silent and white noise        detection method, the content corruption detection unit 104        measures the silence resulting from signal loss for an extended        time period or the presence of white noise as indications of        corrupted content.

The flow continues at block 306, where the DVR unit's notification unit106 presents a notification about the corrupted content. For example,the notification unit 106 can notify users about corrupted content viapop-up screens, indicators on the DVR unit itself, and/or icons in therecorded content list (e.g., see FIG. 4). Once the user is notified ofthe corrupted content, the DVR unit 101 can choose whether to downloadthe corrected content segment of the corrupted content recording (seeblock 307).

If the DVR unit 101 chooses to download the corrected content segment ofthe corrupted content recording, the flow continues at block 308. Atblock 308, the corrected content segment may be downloaded from a webenabled content repository via a web service, according to someembodiments of the invention. In some embodiments, the contentcorruption correction unit 108 can alter the recording by replacingcorrupted segments with the downloaded segments. In other embodiments,the content corruption correction unit 108 can store the corruptedcontent and location of downloaded content segments as metadata andplayback the downloaded content segments at the times described in themetadata. Therefore, the system 300 can seamlessly replace corruptedcontent segments with downloaded segments. From block 308, the flowends.

If the DVR unit 101 chooses not to download the corrected contentsegment of the corrupted recording, the flow continues at block 310. Atblock 310 the DVR unit 101 schedules a recording of a rebroadcast of theoriginal content. For example, since west coast broadcasts run hour(s)behind those in the east, the corrupt segment can be recorded during thewest coast showing of the originally recorded content. Alternatively,the DVR unit 101 can analyze a content guide to discover if and when thecontent is being rebroadcasted and automatically record during thatrebroadcast. Some embodiments may replace the entire recording, whileothers may opt to only rerecord the sections damaged in the originalrecording. From block 310, the flow ends.

FIG. 4 illustrates how a user notification unit can notify users ofcorrupted recordings, according to some embodiments of the invention. InFIG. 4, the user notification unit 402 can notify users of corruptedrecorded content via an indicator 404 on the DVR unit 406, pop-up screen408 on the television (e.g., television screen, computer monitor, etc.),and/or icons in the recorded content list 410. For example, if the usernotification unit 402 detects corrupted content, the user notificationunit 402 can activate the indicator 404 on the DVR unit 406. In someembodiments the indicator 404 can flash, stay continuously lit, changecolor, etc. to alert users that some recorded content is corrupted. Theuser notification unit 402 can also notify users about corrupted contentin other ways. For example, the user notification unit 402 can present apop-up screen 408 that includes a message indicating what content iscorrupted. The user notification unit 402 can present the pop-up screen408 in concert with other information, such as program guides, listingsof recorded content, etc. Additionally, the user notification unit 402can present icons, text, or other indicia indicating that some recordedcontent is corrupted. For example, the user notification unit 402 caninsert an indicator 410 in a listing of recorded shows, where theindicator 402 indicates that a particular show includes corruptedcontent. The indicator 402 can include text, graphics, symbols, etc. Insome embodiments, the user notification unit 402 notifies users ofcorrupted content using sound, such as beeps, recorded messages, etc.

FIG. 5 illustrates how users can identify segments of corrupted contentthrough a graphical user interface, according to some embodiments of theinvention. In this method for identifying corrupted content (a.k.a. theuser demarcation method), the content corruption detection unit 502 canreceive user input indicating what content is corrupted. In someembodiments, the content corruption detection unit 502 presents agraphical user interface 504 in which users can demarcate corruptedcontent. For example, the graphical user interface 504 can include a“strip” 510 representing the recorded content. The content corruptiondetection unit 502 enables users to mark points (506 & 508) on die strip510. Content between the points (506 & 508) is corrupted. Users canidentify corrupted content via a remote control or other suitable inputdevices. After the DVR unit's content corruption detection unit 502identifies corrupted content, the DVR unit's content corruptioncorrection unit can replace the corrupted content with uncorruptedcontent (see also discussion of FIG. 3).

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating how a content provider provides,via the web, corrected content to the DVR unit containing corruptedcontent. The flow 600 will be described with respect to FIG. 1. In FIG.6, flow 600 begins at block 602 where the content replacement service112 receives, via the web, a request from the DVR unit 101 for a contentsegment. The request can identify a corrupted content segment by serialnumber, time stamps, a title and scene number, etc. The flow continuesat block 604, where the content replacement service 112 authenticatesthe DVR unit 101. For example, the content provider can verifypasswords, digital certificates, or other authentication credentials.Furthermore, the content provider may verify that the DVR unit 101 hassubscribed for the content that it needs (e.g., if the request is forcontent of a premium channel, the requester must be subscribed to thepremium channel). If the content replacement service 112 authenticatesthe DVR unit 101, the flow continues at block 608. Otherwise, the flowends.

At block 608, the content replacement service 112 determines therequested content segment needed by the DVR unit 101. For example, thecontent provider 101 fetches the content segment from a local or remotecontent repository. The flow continues at block 610, where the contentprovider transmits the corrected content segment to the DVR unit 101.This transmission can be done over the world wide web, internet,telephony, satellite, and/or other suitable communication facilities.From block 610, the flow ends.

As noted above, a DVR unit can receive content from a satellite dish. Insuch embodiments, the DVR unit can tune the satellite dish to aparticular channel by sending wireless signals (see FIG. 2). However,sometimes the wireless signals are errantly sent or errantly received.As a result, the satellite dish may tune to an incorrect channel. Theincorrect channel may include “dead content” or undesired content (e.g.,the wrong television show). This discussion continues with a descriptionof embodiments in which a DVR unit can detect and recover from asituation in which it has recorded content from an incorrect channel.

FIG. 7 illustrates operations for retuning a satellite dish, accordingto some embodiments of the invention. The flow 700 will be describedwith respect to FIG. 2. In FIG. 7, the flow 700 begins at block 702,where the DVR unit 201 receives a request to record a specified channelfor a specified period of time. In some embodiments, the DVR unit 201receives the request when a user selects a show from a menu of showsthat are available for recording. The flow continues at block 704, whereat the specified time, the DVR unit 201 tunes the satellite dish 216 tothe specified channel. The flow then continues to block 706.

At block 706, the DVR unit 201 receives and records content from thesatellite dish 216. The flow continues at block 707.

At block 707, the DVR unit 201 determines whether there is corruption inthe recorded content. The DVR unit 201 can detect corruption in thecontent by monitoring pixels in the content. When monitoring pixels inthe content, the DVR unit's content corruption detection unit 204 cancheck for changes in the pixels over a certain period of time. If thepixels do not change (or if changes are below a threshold), the contentis corrupted. The content may be corrupted because the DVR unit 201incorrectly tuned the satellite dish 216 to a channel that does notinclude broadcast content (at block 704). That is, although a userprogrammed the DVR unit 201 to tune the satellite dish 216 to aparticular channel, the satellite dish 216 did not tune to that channel.Instead, the satellite dish 216 tuned to a different channel (e.g.,because of errant wireless signals, etc.). Alternatively, the contentmay be corrupted for other reasons, such as poor signal quality, lowsignal strength, etc. In some embodiments, the DVR unit 201 can detectcorruption in the content using any of the methods described above. Ifthe DVR unit 201 detects corruption in the content, the flow continuesat block 708. Otherwise, the flow continues at block 709.

At block 708, the DVR unit 201 retunes the satellite dish 216 to thechannel specified in the request (see block 702). The DVR unit 201 canretune the satellite dish 216 by transmitting wireless signals (e.g.,infrared signals, radiofrequency signals, etc.) that cause the satellitedish 216 to tune to the originally desired channel. In some embodiments,the satellite dish 216 will not retune to a channel upon receiving onlya channel signal (e.g., a wireless signal indicating a channel, such aschannel 105). Instead, in some embodiments, the satellite dish 216 needsboth a channel signal and a key sequence signal (these signals can becombined into a single signal). The DVR unit 201 typically generatesthese signals after detecting certain key presses on its remote controlor other input device. For example, the DVR unit 201 may generate a keysequence signal after detecting remote control key presses [rightarrow][select] and channel signals after detecting remote control keypresses [1][0][5]. The satellite dish 216 may require the key sequenceto ensure that users go through certain menus when tuning to differentchannels. When retuning the satellite dish 216 at block 708, someembodiments of the DVR unit 201 can generate the key sequence signal anda channel signal without receiving remote control input (i.e.,automatically). As a result, in some embodiments, the DVR unit 201retunes the satellite dish 216 to the specified channel by sending awireless signal including the needed key sequence and channel. The flowcontinues at block 710.

At block 709, if the recording time period is not complete, the flowwill return to block 706. If the recording time period is complete, theflow continues at block 710.

At block 710, the DVR unit 201 determines whether there is any contentmissing from the complete recording. If no content is missing, the flowends. If content is missing, the flow continues at block 711. At block711, the DVR unit 201 chooses whether to download content to replace thecorrupted content segment. If the DVR unit 201 downloads content, theflow continues at block 714. Otherwise, the flow continues at block 712.

At block 712, the DVR unit 201 downloads content to replace thecorrupted content. The DVR unit 201 can download from the content from aweb enabled content repository via a web service, according to someembodiments of the invention (e.g., the content replacement service210). In some embodiments, the DVR's content corruption correction unit208 can alter the corrupted content by replacing corrupted segments withthe downloaded segments. In other embodiments, the content corruptioncorrection unit 208 can create metadata indicating when, duringplayback, to present the downloaded content segments. Therefore, thesystem 700 can seamlessly correct corrupted content using the downloadedcontent. From block 710, the flow ends.

At block 714, the DVR unit 201 schedules a recording of a rebroadcast ofthe original content. For example, since west coast broadcasts runhour(s) behind those in the east, the corrupt segment can be recordedduring the west coast showing of the originally recorded content.Alternatively, the DVR unit 101 can analyze a content guide to discoverif and when the content is being rebroadcasted and automatically recordduring that rebroadcast. Some embodiments may replace the entirerecording, while others may opt to only rerecord the sections damaged inthe original recording. From block 712, the flow ends.

FIG. 8 illustrates operations for reprogramming a satellite dish,according to some embodiments of the invention. In FIG. 8, the flow 800begins at block 802, where the satellite dish 216 receives a sequence ofsignals (e.g., infrared signals, radio frequency signals, etc.) toreprogram it to the desired channel. In some embodiments, the DVR unit201 transmits IR signals via the wire 212, as shown in FIG. 2. The flowthen continues to block 804.

At block 804, the satellite dish 216 reprograms to the channel indicatedin the signals. The flow then continues to block 806, where thesatellite dish 216 transmits content from the channel to the DVR 201.From block 806, the flow ends.

Other Embodiments

While the invention(s) is (are) described with reference to variousimplementations and exploitations, it will be understood that theseembodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the invention(s) isnot limited to them. In general, the techniques described herein may beimplemented with facilities consistent with any hardware system orhardware systems. Many variations, modifications, additions, andimprovements are possible.

Plural instances may be provided for components, operations orstructures described herein as a single instance. Finally, boundariesbetween various components, operations and data stores are somewhatarbitrary, and particular operations are illustrated in the context ofspecific illustrative configurations. Other allocations of functionalityare envisioned and may fall within the scope of the invention(s). Ingeneral, structures and functionality presented as separate componentsin the exemplary configurations may be implemented as a combinedstructure or component. Similarly, structures and functionalitypresented as a single component may be implemented as separatecomponents. These and other variations, modifications, additions, andimprovements may fall within the scope of the invention(s).

1. A method comprising: receiving a request to record television contenton a specified channel for a specified period of time; tuning to thespecified channel at the specified time; recording some of thetelevision content; determining that one or more segments of thetelevision content is corrupted; presenting a notification indicatingthat some of the television content is corrupted; retuning to thespecified channel and recording more of the television content; andacquiring uncorrupted content for use in replacing the one or moresegments of corrupted television content.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the retuning to the specified channel includes transmitting asignal including a key sequence and the specified channel.
 3. The methodof claim 1, wherein the receiving a request to record television contenton a specified channel for a specified period of time includes receivinga user selection of the television content from a menu of televisioncontent available for recording.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein thedetermining that one or more segments of the content is corruptedincludes analyzing the content using one or more analysis methodsselected from reduced signal strength analysis, stagnant pixel analysis,silent and white noise detection analysis, mismatch checksum analysis,user demarcation analysis, and digital block detection analysis.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein indicia includes one or more selected fromthe group consisting of a pop-up window, an icon in a program guidescreen, an icon in a recorded content screen, and an indicator on adigital video recorder.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the acquiringthe uncorrupted content includes one or more operations selected fromthe group consisting of receiving the uncorrupted content via asatellite network and receiving the uncorrupted content from over theinternet.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein acquiring includesdetermining that the television content will be rebroadcast, andrecorded during the rebroadcast.
 8. A media content delivery systemcomprising: a DVR unit configured to record a first content, to detectcorruption in the first content, to transmit wireless signals indicatinga key sequence and a channel, and to request a second content to replacethe first content; a media replacement service configured to receive therequest for the second content and to provide the second content to theDVR unit; a satellite dish configured to receive the wireless signalsfrom the DVR unit and to retune to the channel based on the key sequenceand the channel, the satellite dish also configured to transmit, to theDVR unit, a third content included in the channel.
 9. The media contentdelivery system of claim 8, wherein the DVR unit is configured to detectthe corruption in the first content by one or more analysis methodsselected from the group consisting of reduced signal strength analysis,stagnant pixel analysis, silent and white noise detection analysis,mismatch checksum analysis, user demarcation analysis, and digital blockdetection analysis.
 10. The media content delivery system of claim 7,wherein die DVR unit further comprises: a user notification unitconfigured to present notifications about the corruption in the firstcontent.
 11. The media content delivery system of claim 10, wherein thenotifications include one or more selected from the group consisting ofa pop-up screen indicating that the content is corrupted, an icon in arecorded content interface, an indicator on die DVR unit, and a messagedescribing the corruption and time.
 12. The media content deliverysystem of claim 8, wherein the DVR unit further comprises: a mediacorruption correction unit configured to download a corrected version ofthe corrupted content from the web enabled media repository.
 13. Themedia content delivery system of claim 8, wherein the DVR unit furthercomprises: a media corruption correction unit configured to createmetadata to indicate when to present the second content.
 14. Anapparatus comprising: a digital video recorder (DVR) unit configured toreceive a request to record television content on a specified channelfor a specified period of time; a media corruption detection unitconfigured to determine that one or more segments of the televisioncontent is corrupted; a user notification unit configured to present anotification that the content is corrupted, wherein the presentingincludes presenting indicia indicating that the content is corrupted; amedia corruption correction unit configured to retune to the specifiedchannel made by the request
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein themedia corruption detection unit is further configured to determine thatone or more segments of the content is corrupted by analysis of thecontent using one or more analysis methods selected from the groupconsisting of reduced signal strength analysis, stagnant pixel analysis,silent and white noise detection analysis, mismatch checksum analysis,user demarcation analysis, and digital block detection analysis.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 14, wherein the user notification unit if furtherconfigured to present indicia that includes one of more selected fromthe group consisting of a pop-up window, an icon in a program guidescreen, an icon in a recorded content screen, and an indicator on adigital video recorder.
 17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the mediacorruption correction unit is further configured to acquire theuncorrupted content from one or more operations selected from the groupconsisting of receiving the uncorrupted content via a satellite network,receiving the uncorrupted content over the internet, receiving dieuncorrupted content via telephony, and receiving the uncorrupted contentover a network, from a web service.
 18. A machine-readable mediumincluding instructions that when executed by a machine cause die machineto perform operations comprising: receiving a request to recordtelevision content on a specified channel for a specified period oftime; tuning to the specified channel at the specified time; recordingthe specified content; determining that one or more segments of thetelevision content is corrupted; presenting a notification that thecontent is corrupted; retuning to the specified channel made by therequest, the retuning including transmitting a signal indicating diespecified channel and a key sequence; and acquiring uncorrupted contentfor use in replacing the one or more segments of corrupted televisioncontent.
 19. The machine readable medium of claim 19, wherein thereceiving a request to record television content on a specified channelfor a specified period of time includes receiving a user selection ofthe television content from a menu of television content available forrecording.
 20. The machine readable medium of claim 19, wherein thedetermining that one or more segments of the content is corruptedincludes analyzing the content using one or more analysis methodsselected from the group consisting of reduced signal strength analysis,stagnant pixel analysis, silent and white noise detection analysis,mismatch checksum analysis, user demarcation analysis, and digital blockdetection analysis.